PURPOSE: This rule establishes minimum required procedures to provide for the separation of cash handling and accounting functions associated with the collection and distribution of IV-D child support payments.

1. (1) Definitions. As used in this regulation—

   1. (A) Definitions of general terms will be those in section 454.460, RSMo;
   2. (B) Cash payment means any support payment made in the form of currency or check, money order or any other form of negotiable instrument; and
   3. (C) Prosecuting attorney means the person elected or appointed as the prosecuting attorney for any county or the City of St. Louis, or any person employed by the prosecuting attorney, or any person with actual or apparent authority acting on behalf of the prosecuting attorney.

2. (2) Cash Payment Handling Requirements. The prosecuting attorney shall—

   1. (A) Not accept payments from obligors unless—

      1. 1. Acceptance of the payment is

unavoidable; or

1. 2. It is the prosecuting attorney’s opin-

ion that acceptance is preferable for a specific case situation;

1. (B) Open, immediately upon receipt, all envelopes (mail) believed to contain cash payments;
2. (C) Endorse restrictively negotiable instruments, using a rubber stamp with the wording—“For Deposit Only to the Credit of (County Name) County Circuit Clerk’s Office.” In addition, the prosecuting attorney must note the IV-D case number on the negotiable instrument;
3. (D) Record immediately all cash payments in a cash receipts log. The cash payments shall not be routed to any other person before being recorded;
4. (E) Issue receipts for cash payments received in the form of currency, whether received in person or through the mail. However, the prosecuting attorney should discourage the obligor from sending currency payments through the mail. The receipts must be prenumbered or maintained as part of a bound book. Someone other than the person(s) issuing receipts shall account for all receipts issued; 13 CSR 30-2
5. (F) Ensure that all receipts are maintained in a locked area separate from the cash receipts log and that only prior authorized personnel have access; and
6. (G) Transfer daily all payments, properly identified and restrictively endorsed, to the appropriate circuit clerk’s office.

AUTHORITY: section 454.400, RSMo Supp. 1993.* Emergency rule filed Oct. 16, 1989, effective Oct. 26, 1989, expired Feb. 22, 1990. Original rule filed Oct. 16, 1989, effective Feb. 11, 1990.

*Original authority: 454.400, RSMo 1982, amended 1985, 1986, 1990, 1993.